TMA 01

Summarise and discuss the presentations of mental health in the two newspaper articles given in Appendix 1. (1500 words).

1. Summaries of cited media

“Tackling Mental Health Problems in a Downturn” (Gill, Trevelyan, The Times, 30th September 2009)

This article, written by the Head of Good Practice at ACAS, suggests that despite the difficulties in accurately diagnosing mental health problems, the government has calculated that mental health related sickness is costing the UK economy £26 Billion per year.

This is increasing during the economic downturn, primarily due to the fear of loss of jobs.

Consequently, government agencies are working with employers to help reduce the causes of mental health, including the …show more content…

The validity and reliability of such diagnoses are crucial, questioning the reality of the diagnoses and if they are consistent between practioners. In a study of 50,000 cases, Dr Alex Mitchell (2009) identified that many G.P.s have, “…. great difficulties in separating those with and without depression, with substantial numbers of missed and misidentified…. In the worst case scenario false diagnoses could outnumber true diagnoses three to one.” Rosenhan (1973) challenged validity by with an experiment where health professionals could not differentiate between some healthy subjects and mentally ill patients.

The validity has been further questioned through the objectivity of the experts on the DSM panel. In the University of Massachusetts publication, Financial Ties between DSM-IV Panel Members and the Pharmaceutical Industry (Krimsky 2006). A study of members of the 170 panel members who contributed to the diagnostic criteria in the DSM, 95 (56%) had one or more financial associations with companies in the pharmaceutical industry. 100% of the members of the panels on 'Mood Disorders' and 'Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders' had financial ties to drug companies.

Further questions about the powerful influence of the pharmaceutical industry are raised in the New England Journal of Medicine publication The Trap: What Happened to Our Dream of Freedom (Erick H.